Choosing Shows

This checklist came out of our Promoter Meetings and summarises things to consider when choosing a show from the Live & Local Menu.

What’s the show? What is it that will grab people?

These things will make you decide whether you are interested or not, almost immediately:

• What is the artform?
• Has it been performed before?
• Story – is it familiar or is it new?
• Who is it aimed at? What is the age range?
• Presentation style of artists;
• Content & themes (e.g. jazz or ‘varied musical styles’; drama that’s ‘thought-provoking’ or ‘great fun’);
• What's 'different' about the show? - if it's made you say 'WOW', think what an audience will say!
• What is special about this show? What could be special about the whole event?
• Title and writer(s) or composers;
• Nos of performers;
• Potential for themed evening.

 

Recommendations

Quotes or recommendations about the show are worth their weight in gold! Check out these things:

• Our Online Menu includes:
  • Descriptions;
  • Pictures;
  • Company websites;
  • Links to online video;
  • Sound Clips
• Recommendations from people who have seen the show (Live & Local promoters and staff), reviews, others;
• Or go and see the show / the company yourself.

 

Practicalities

• Availability – Do your dates match the company’s availability?
• Is there enough Get In time to set up?
• Running time – affects your start time as well as going home time! (Latest start time is 8pm)
• Interval – is there one?
• Licence – have you an appropriate Premises License or will you need a TEN (Temporary Event Notice) for the event.

 

Technical

• Performing area required – stage or rostra needed?
• Lighting/sound requirements – do they bring their own?
• Format (Theatre, Cabaret or other);
• Seating Capacity (in the light of the two above points);
• Get in time / Get out time. Have you allowed enough time for the company to set up and the audience to arrive?

 

See our Venue & Technical Requirements page.

How is it going to affect the people involved?

Tempting as it is to book something you like the look of, booking a Live & Local show affects lots of people… How will you consult them when choosing what to book? What will their reaction to the final event be?

Audience

For a specific age range or suitable for a wide age range? There are few shows that are truly “for all the family”. Our menu description gives you this information.

Your local scene/context

Will booking it upset the head teacher, drama group/folk club/whist circle or Christmas do? Warn them you’re thinking of this show on these dates, and then keep on reminding them when you have booked it!

Your community

• Fits within other local activities?
• Local clashes – time of year (seasonal traditions)?
• Other organisations who do similar things?

 

Your venue

• Different from your last Live & Local show?
• Part of a range of different Live & Local events?
• Compliments other activities within the venue?
• Fits in the venue?

 

Other Live & Local venues

Check to avoid ‘clashes’ with dates / shows at nearby venues (phone them up!)

Priority Shows

We often get asked how to guarantee to get more than one show.

It is impossible to guarantee this as so many factors come into play. However two things that will give you an advantage are to offer performances days other than Friday and Saturday and to include shows that are priority shows marked as such in the menu.